Trauma is stored in the body, nervous system, and deeper brain areas, not just in memories. Conventional talk therapy has often proven ineffective due to its reliance on rational processes, which cannot access trauma that resides beneath consciousness. The innovative technique of brainspotting trauma therapy seeks to change this paradigm.
Brain-based and focused on the innate capacity of the body to heal itself, this groundbreaking treatment targets and releases trauma that has been stuck in the nervous system for decades. If you or someone you know has been suffering from trauma, PTSD, or emotional distress that refuses to let go, WisHope Recovery is ready to provide you with trauma-focused therapy techniques and scientifically supported treatment to help you get back on track. Visit wishoperecovery.com to learn more about how they can help.
Key Takeaways
- The brainspotting trauma technique involves the use of the deeper part of the brain (subcortex), where the effects of trauma are actually stored.
- The technique uses the positioning of the eyes to discover brain spots that will activate any traumatic emotions that have been stored.
- Unlike the conventional talk-based therapy method, brainspotting does not involve speaking about the traumatic experiences to anyone.
- Studies suggest that brainspotting is effective in the treatment of conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, loss/grief, and performance problems.
- It can be used alongside or as an alternative to other trauma healing methods like EMDR and CBT.
What is Brainspotting and What Does It Entail?
Brainspotting is a trauma-focused therapy technique aimed at helping individuals who are suffering from emotional issues related to trauma. The procedure is straightforward yet profound in that it uses eye locations to access areas of trauma that exist within the body and the brain.
The basis for this type of treatment is that where you look dictates how you feel. In other words, once the eyes settle at a certain position in the visual field, called a “brainspot,” an individual’s natural ability to scan and heal himself is awakened, as the brain begins to process and resolve previously unresolved events.
Who Is Eligible for Brainspotting Therapy?
There are many types of people who could benefit from brainspotting therapy. These include:
- Abused individuals suffering from the effects of their experiences
- Survivors of accidents, losses, or war who have post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxious, depressed, grieving, or chronic pain sufferers
- Performers or athletes with mental blocks
- Traumatically developed children or teenagers
If you are dissatisfied with your current talk therapy sessions, then brainspotting might be for you. This is especially true for those seeking PTSD treatment services that go beyond surface-level coping.
What Makes Brainspotting Different from EMDR?
While considering brainspotting vs. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), it is important to know that while both are eye position-related approaches employed in trauma therapy techniques and are backed by extensive research, the two have important distinctions.
| Feature | Brainspotting | EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) |
| Eye Movement | Fixed gaze point | Bilateral eye movements |
| Structure | Flexible, client-led | Structured 8-phase protocol |
| Verbalization | Minimal | More verbal processing |
| Focus | Subcortical brain | Memory reprocessing |
| Session Depth | Often deeper | More systematic |
Neither brain spotting nor EMDR is inherently better; it all comes down to the particular person involved and their individual requirements. Most therapists today are skilled in both methods, and they utilize both therapies in conjunction as complementary trauma-focused therapy techniques.
What Does the Research Say About Brainspotting for PTSD?
There has been substantial progress regarding the effectiveness of brainspotting in treating PTSD in the literature and empirical studies conducted thus far. Below are some of the insights provided:
- Several studies point to the efficacy of brainspotting in addressing PTSD among first responders, veterans, and survivors of complex trauma. Furthermore, this approach has shown promising results across diverse populations dealing with deep-rooted emotional distress.
- The technique provides quick relief compared to conventional treatments.
- Brainspotting for PTSD is gradually being adopted in various trauma therapy programs.
Since it targets the neurological system, brainspotting addresses the underlying causes of PTSD, providing an effective solution and establishing itself as the most effective PTSD treatment service.
What Happens During a Brainspotting Therapy Session?
During an average brainspotting session, which can last from 50 to 90 minutes, the following steps are taken:
- Check-In: Your therapist asks about your physical and emotional state.
- Target identification: You bring up some experience or emotion that causes discomfort.
- Processing: You stare at a certain point while your brain is processing; usually, there is soothing music playing in the background.
- Integrating the process: At the end of the therapy session, you are guided through grounding.
Every therapy session is unique. In fact, it depends on the response of your nervous system, thereby making mental health counseling by means of brainspotting highly individualized.
Is Brainspotting Therapy Right For You?
To explore such therapy, one should find a trained professional who offers structured trauma therapy programs for treating patients. Consider finding professionals with BSP (Level 1/2) certificates who also understand your particular trauma.
Good mental health counseling requires assessments, healthy therapy relationships, and a proper environment for healing.
The First Step Towards Truly Effective Healing
Brainspotting trauma therapy is a method rooted in science and deep compassion for your brain’s ability to heal. Whether you are a veteran struggling with combat-related trauma, or have had a traumatic childhood experience, or even if you are stuck with pain that no words can describe, then brainspotting could be an answer.
WisHope Recovery believes that healing is possible. Moreover, the clinicians at this practice specialize in cutting-edge techniques of trauma healing, which means that your treatment will be personalized, carefully informed by the unique nature of your trauma, and ultimately aimed at achieving meaningful results. Whether you are interested in PTSD treatment services or want to try something new after other forms of therapy failed you, we can help you.
FAQs:
Is it safe for me to have brainspotting therapy if I am a child with trauma?
Yes, because it is non-invasive and adjustable, and it can work for children and teenagers if administered by a qualified therapist.
Is it possible to get brainspotting therapy through telehealth?
Yes, there are many therapists who provide brainspotting services; even WisHope Recovery does.
What makes brainspotting therapy different from conventional talk therapy?
In contrast to talk therapy, brainspotting involves accessing deep brain parts where traumatic experiences are stored.
Is brainspotting therapy covered by health insurance?
This depends on the service provider. Most providers bill brainspotting as talk therapy.